Churchill Downs Plans $300M Expansion, Including New Hotel and More Seating

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Churchill Downs Inc. will invest $300 million to add 5,500 reserved seats, a 156-room hotel and 900 historical racing machines at Churchill Downs, home of the annual Kentucky Derby horse race in Louisville. A historical racing machine is an electronic gambling system that allows players to bet on horse races or dog races that have already been run. The seven-story hotel will include 900 historical racing machines, a 27,000-square-foot ballroom, dining room overlooking the track, 92 trackside suites, four trackside presidential suites and multiple dining options. The project is expected to create 600 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs upon completion. Churchill Downs Inc. expects the expansion to be complete in November 2021.